Ahah! Now I see a general issue. A new client cannot be released with every bug fix, this is incredibly true and has caused many games and not just this one many headaches. A solution? Dynamicly updated file systems. What do I mean? Well there's quite a few games that check the version of each file. Usualy the version of each file is collectively set within a file which is only touched during installation and during updates. This can help target specific files for updating without having to rework the entire client. This may however cost more bandwidth as each time the updater is ran it needs to check the file version, file but it shouldn't be much of a jump since it 'should' be a simple encrypted text file.

Then there's the problem with mirrors being up to date. This is where you need to get more dynamic by creating a 'mirror program' to update their file system as well. This can help mirrors make it a simple 'click and run' update system where they recieve what's needed from the main host and then help ease the bandwidth by offering theirs in return. Incredibly similar to a torrent but you can see the difference.

Quote from: drah on February 28, 2007, 08:38:42 am

In a TRUE utopia.. would there even be a need for Tria?

True.  Dollars work just fine.

Actualy that's not true. Money, in its form causes greed and corruption. Removing the thing that causes it the most would actually help relieve that problem. Not only that, but you'd have to remove trade as well by giving everyone everything equally. That would be a piece of a true Utopia.

Your e-mail is hidden. and for some reason I can't send PMs.

Texture part. And by that theory, the way we can roam around the world makes absolutely no sense considering it has a feeling of a sphere.

*points to his notices* There is a reason I stated 'i'm not trying to rush the project.' 'I understand the amount of work that goes into this game' it was to avoid replies like that. 

P.S. I'm not trying to sound rude or anything, it just seemed you happened to have misread something is all, atleast that was my guess. (I can't send PMs)

PSPS - It DOES seem this should be in the wishlist topic. I apologise for posting in the wrong place.

Right well, since there is no suggestion department I figured i'd post this here. Now please, don't look at me badly because i'm pointing many things out. I am only doing so to bring awareness to anyone that possibly may be unknowing or are just not looking at something yet. I'm in no way trying to be rude nor trying to rush any sort of production. I also have some graphics suggestions, I -know- that gameplay comes way before graphics but unfortunately not all of the world has the same views. Besides that, eye candy is nice no matter how much you favor gameplay.

... phew, got that bit out of the way. Now first I will post my suggestions on how to improve systems by change, the next section will be requests on how to improve current systems.

[Suggestions]

"Please Run Your Updater" - That notice in blue text is REALLY annoying. I see it every time I log on. Does this mean people can even attempt to play without updating!? I've seen many many MMORPGs out there and I believe it is a necessary evil to force and update check. Now the question pops up, how do we check the version if all the mirrors aren't up? Well doesn't PS run on Fragnetics? There should be a version file stored there where the updater can check and see if it's up to date indeed BEFORE running through the mirrors. This can stop future problems as well as removing that stupid annoying blue text. THANKFULLY I noticed that the version number cannot be 'hacked' or 'edited' from the game itself.

MOTD - Okay, the text in this textbox gets screwed up allot and i'm pretty sure it doesn't get fixed due to processes that need to be done in order to change it. My solution? Well along with the required update feature you can slip a textbox over that updater for news. Instead of the current MOTD system, in place of it can be an expanded Tips section for more detail. A simple encrypted textfile can be used from the server itself. While the updater checks the version update it can also check the news to see if there are any updates. These system can be quite fun

Static Skybox - Edit - No clouds it seems from a messege posted.

POLYGONS!!! - Edit - Polygons are not a problem, sowwy.

Maps and their Glitches - I see allot of glitches and screwed up alignments. I really want to suggest how to do this more accurately but unfortunately I have no info what so ever on how it's done. If a dev can help me understand how it works, i'm sure I can give a solution to this ever evolving issue. Those checker boxes and slight areas where the screen becomes a blur of graphics really kill the immersed feel.

Trees - Edit - SpeedTree is too expensive.

The Turfs/Terrain - Not the best in the world, but this is something I actually may be able to help with! Atleast certain ones... now i've shown off a couple of example turf/terrain images before and i've gotten some nice comments. Truthfully, i've never done any sort of work with an MMORPG, however I would like to speak with the current person who handles the terrain graphics. I would very much love to compare my graphics with that person and possibly assist with their creation, editing and submission to the person who actually impliments them into the game. PlaneShift is an open source project as i've noticed, but there's no way i'm cracking that open and sniffing around to figure out how to do everything without some sort of guide.  I would enjoy an e-mail if at all possible.  I'll list it at the bottom of this messege incase it's not properly set in my profiles settings.


[Requests]

I only have on request... enhance the custom character creation! There's not enough hairs, hair colors, faces... and I don't even see an option to remove that stupid beard off the human looking races! I FEEL OLD!  This is the sweet spot of any RPG, how far your character can be customized to be truely unique.



Again, this game has been greatly created and much effort as well as time has been put into it. I understand it isn't easy and can be very stressful at times. These are only comments so don't let them bug you, rather they are ment to be a reference on where to turn to next while planning ahead.


My E-mail: mortiferus_morte@hotmail.com


Note - I may edit this as I come up with more ideas.

Well I haven't played much, but I believe duels should be allowed between player and player anywhere in the game. This would allow PvP conflicts RPly everywhere and not just limited to an arena. To further this, a DM (Deathmatch) option could be available to the players if they both agree. Now in the future, guards can be set to stop the fight and even jail the assaulter. This would be a very interesting feature indeed as well as a fun one . I've said it before and i'll say it again, this game reminds me of another that I shall leave unnamed to stop advertisement, however i'm sure quite a few people around here know of the game I speak about since its vast land and customizeability is really only rivaled by PS. It should be looked upon as a base of what can and maybe should be done.

Player VS Player conflicts are needed to allow greater RP, however it should be understood that these conflicts should not be taken to Out Of Character states.